We here in flyover are saddened by the passing of Suzanne Pleshette, who pioneered the role of "hot wife of homely stand-up comic" in the Bob Newhart Show during the 1970's.
For young boys of my age (I as 10 years old when the show began and 16 when it ended), Suzanne fulfilled some sort of Mrs. Robinson role as she was the same age as our moms, but much hotter and cooler. Watching her on the Tonight Show (with Johnny Carson, of course), we discovered that she was really cool and capable of keeping up with Johnny wise-crack for wise-crack.
She was also popular in those James Garner-type comedies, playing the wise brunette pal of the ditsy blond. Another reason to prefer MaryAnn, I guess...but you just knew that Suzanne's characters did it, and enjoyed it.
No comments:
Post a Comment